"The future is not free: the story of all human progress is one of a struggle against all odds. We learned again that this America, which Abraham Lincoln called the last, best hope of man on Earth, was built on heroism and noble sacrifice. It was built by men and women like our seven star voyagers, who answered a call beyond duty, who gave more than was expected or required and who gave it little thought of worldly reward."
— President Ronald Reagan, January 31, 1986

Sixteen years ago, on the sunny but cold morning of January 28, 1986, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida was preparing the launch of NASA's 25th space shuttle mission into space, Mission 51-L, the 10th flight of the orbiter Challenger. This was a highly anticipated mission because it was the first time that a civilian was going into space — teacher Christa McAuliffe, who had a number of interactive events for schoolchildren planned. It was the coldest day that NASA had ever launched a shuttle, but this particular launch had already been delayed five times due to bad weather. At 11:38 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, the orbiter left Pad 39B. Seventy-three seconds into flight, Challenger exploded, killing all seven of its crew.

Today we honor the seven heroes who gave their lives for the purpose of space exploration and the advancement of human civilization. Their sacrifice shall not be forgotten.

Francis R. (Dick) Scobee Commander Michael John Smith Pilot Ellison S. Onizuka Mission Specialist Judith Arlene Resnik Mission Specialist

Ronald Erwin McNair Mission Specialist Sharon Christa McAuliffe Payload Specialist Gregory Bruce Jarvis Payload Specialist

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